The Norwood procedure is a critical surgical intervention performed for patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome or similar congenital heart defects. A key feature of this operation is the creation of a shunt to establish adequate blood flow, particularly to the pulmonary arteries.
The BT (Blalock-Taussig) shunt is specifically designed to connect the systemic circulation to the pulmonary arteries. This is achieved by creating a connection, usually between the subclavian artery and the pulmonary artery, allowing blood flow to the lungs for oxygenation. This type of shunt plays a vital role in the Norwood procedure as it enables proper circulation and supports the heart's function.
Other shunt types listed, like the Bidirectional Glenn shunt, the Fontan shunt, and the Central shunt, serve different purposes in the course of treatment for congenital heart defects. The Bidirectional Glenn shunt is typically created in subsequent surgeries for patients with single ventricle physiology, while the Fontan procedure is a later stage intervention that redirects venous return to the pulmonary arteries without a ventricular pump. A Central shunt, on the other hand, does not refer to a specific standardized surgical practice in the context of congenital heart disease.
The selection of a BT shunt in